Peripheral studies date back to almost a century ago, when scientists first started do experimental testing on the human brain. Back then, the study of the brain and nervous system was still fairly new and there was not a lot of information out there to study and reference. The number of peripheral studies increased significantly during the 1960s when cell stains and laboratory equipment advanced.
The peripheral nervous system is comprised of any and all nerves cells outside the brain and spinal cord. The nerves within the brain and spinal cord are controlled by the central nervous system. The main purpose of the peripheral study is gain a better understanding of how the neurons function and how these functions play a role in the overall health of the human being. Scientists seek to determine how different peripheral disease originates, how they affect people's health and how they can treat these conditions.
Because the disease, conditions and treatments regarding the peripheral nervous system are vast, many different types of methods can be carried out during a peripheral study. Observational methods involve assessing people with problems with their peripheral nervous system. Clinical methods involve taking blood samples, fluid samples and urine samples and statistically assessing these. Experimental methods involve administrating a new drug or asking patients to complete a task and using the data to determine the cause and effect of the study undertaken. The type of method used for each peripheral study is dependent on what type of peripheral condition the scientists is studying
The peripheral nervous system is part of the nervous system within our body. This system is responsible for our motor movements, our pain sensations and our ability to react to the stimuli we experience in our environment. Also, the peripheral nervous system can fall prey to illnesses such as Parkinson's disease. Peripheral studies benefit society in that the outcomes of these studies provide answers and new treatments that people might face within society.